The Orioles are looking to take the rubber match of this three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The teams are tied for first place in the AL East with identical 30-23 records.

Newcomer Steve Pearce, who arrived in Tampa Bay around 8 p.m. yesterday, will immediately jump into the lineup, starting in right field and hitting eighth.

Pearce seems to know a few guys in the clubhouse. He played with Ronny Paulino in Pittsburgh and attended South Carolina with Steve Tolleson.

Also, the Orioles added right-hander Steve Johnson to the club's 40-man roster and transferred left-hander Zach Britton to the 60-day disabled list. Britton, currently two starts into a minor league rehab assignment, was initally placed on the DL on March 26.